Maj. Kate Rubins received the Basic Aviation Badge with Astronaut Device and Space Badge during a ceremony Nov. 21 at the Pentagon, making her the first Army Reserve soldier authorized to wear the device. 

“Her experience in NASA, as a researcher and biomedical professional, has a clear, relevant application to the U.S. Army as we develop new concepts to address the growing number of medical and biological challenges expected on the future battlefield,” Maj. Gen. Michelle Link, commanding general of the 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command, said during the ceremony. “Maj. Rubins is a stellar example of the Army's core values and what it means to lead a life of service.”

Rubins, who holds an interdisciplinary doctorate in cancer biology from Stanford University Medical School, is a microbiologist. She received a direct commission into the Army Reserve in 2021. Rubins was selected by NASA to join the 2009 astronaut class, according to her NASA biography.

While aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 48/49 in 2016, Rubins became the first to sequence DNA in space, which enabled future discoveries and developments from her fellow astronauts.  She was also a crew member for Expedition 63/64 in 2020.

Though there is “quite a big difference” in Rubins’ work with the Army Reserve and NASA, they both rely on a set of common, fundamental skills.

“I find the work that I do with the U.S. Army Reserve, working in small teams, depending on each other, working together, those skills are very helpful in the job of being an astronaut,” Rubins, who’s assigned to the 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command, said during a meeting with reporters prior to the ceremony. “We need to learn how to think clearly in a challenging situation. We understand ourselves, our equipment, and we put all of this together to accomplish the mission.”

Considered one of the rarest devices a soldier can earn, soldiers must complete at least one operational mission in space to earn and wear the Army Astronaut device, according to Army Regulation 600-8-22. Rubins joins Cols. Frank Rubio, Anne McClain and Andrew Morgan as the only currently serving soldiers authorized to wear the device.

While she’s honored to receive the device, Rubins said the opportunity to serve in the Army Reserve is the greatest honor of all. “I'm very grateful. It's really an incredible honor to receive this device. To me, the meaning is really the fact that I'm able to serve in the Army Reserve,” Rubins said told reporters. “While the device is nice, and it's a very nice recognition, the opportunity to serve every day is what I'm here for.”